McDowell Center for Children

McDowell Center for Children Full and half-day programs are offered at McDowell’s satellite outpatient location.

McDowell Center is a 28-bed residential treatment facility located in Dyersburg, Tennessee, for adolescent males experiencing mental health, behavioral, and/or substance abuse issues. The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at McDowell Center for Children is a comprehensive, outpatient program designed individually to meet each patient’s specific psychiatri

c illness, behavioral problems and/or substance abuse issues. The program is less intensive than inpatient psychiatric services; however, the program provides more structure and intervention than an individual would receive in an outpatient setting. The programs offer a variety of groups and intervention services, each tailored to meet the need of the individual.

Our amazing patients took a creative journey of self-reflection and goal setting with their “Who Am I” vision board port...
07/14/2025

Our amazing patients took a creative journey of self-reflection and goal setting with their “Who Am I” vision board portraits. Each one personalized a pair of glasses with powerful symbols, dreams and aspirations—offering a meaningful glimpse into how they see themselves and the bright future they’re working toward.

Our RTC came together for a powerful and inspiring Juneteenth celebration that honored the resilience, history, and cult...
06/23/2025

Our RTC came together for a powerful and inspiring Juneteenth celebration that honored the resilience, history, and culture of the African American community. The program featured poem readings, including "I, Too; by Langston Hughes and "I Have a Dream" speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This celebration served as a reminder of the past, a reflection on the present, and hope for the future.

This week's group project, created by our intern Sonia Hayes, focused on how life can sometimes feel messy. But with the...
06/09/2025

This week's group project, created by our intern Sonia Hayes, focused on how life can sometimes feel messy. But with the right coping skills, those challenges can transform into something beautiful—like a butterfly!

Today our residents enjoyed a sweet surprise in honor of National Donut Day! Nothing brings smiles quite like fresh donu...
06/06/2025

Today our residents enjoyed a sweet surprise in honor of National Donut Day! Nothing brings smiles quite like fresh donuts, and we made sure everyone got to join in the fun. 🍩

On May 7, our patients delivered care kits to Matthew 25:40, a nonprofit that supports people experiencing homelessness ...
05/21/2025

On May 7, our patients delivered care kits to Matthew 25:40, a nonprofit that supports people experiencing homelessness with essentials like food and clothing. In the weeks leading up to the visit, our Clinical Director spent time in the classroom discussing how homelessness affects mental and physical health. Thanks to our clients' attentiveness and effort, they were well-prepared to give back and make a meaningful impact.

On May 16, we hosted our very first "Becoming Him" conference—and it was nothing short of incredible. The energy, the wi...
05/20/2025

On May 16, we hosted our very first "Becoming Him" conference—and it was nothing short of incredible. The energy, the wisdom, the unity... it was everything we envisioned and more.

A heartfelt thank-you to every staff member, speaker, and supporter who helped bring this powerful event to life. Your contributions made a lasting impact, and we’re so proud of what we accomplished together.

As part of a life skills and vocational readiness session, patients practiced how to tie a necktie and complete job appl...
05/14/2025

As part of a life skills and vocational readiness session, patients practiced how to tie a necktie and complete job applications. This hands-on activity helped build their confidence and better prepare them for real-world experiences ahead.

During arts and crafts, patients created personalized "Why Worry" boxes—visual reminders to let go of stress and focus o...
05/13/2025

During arts and crafts, patients created personalized "Why Worry" boxes—visual reminders to let go of stress and focus on peace, hope and personal growth. This meaningful activity encourages reflection and supports emotional healing.

We recently celebrated Shawn Brooks, Detention Supervisor, for reaching an incredible milestone—20 years of dedicated se...
05/12/2025

We recently celebrated Shawn Brooks, Detention Supervisor, for reaching an incredible milestone—20 years of dedicated service. Shawn is always willing to help beyond his role, serves as a strong mentor to the young men in our care and is a true asset to the team at McDowell.

Congratulations, Shawn, and thank you for two decades of commitment and impact!

During our monthly meeting, staff received mental health bags filled with snacks, water and a bookmark—small reminders t...
05/08/2025

During our monthly meeting, staff received mental health bags filled with snacks, water and a bookmark—small reminders that taking care of your emotional well-being matters.

As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re reminded of the importance of checking in with ourselves and each other. Whether you're just starting your journey or continuing down the path, support is always within reach.

Together, let’s break the stigma, spark meaningful conversations and promote healing and hope in our communities.

To celebrate Autism Acceptance Month, our incredible staff transformed our common areas with thoughtful and creative dec...
05/07/2025

To celebrate Autism Acceptance Month, our incredible staff transformed our common areas with thoughtful and creative decorations that highlight inclusion, understanding and the unique strengths of individuals on the autism spectrum.

From vibrant displays to meaningful messages, each detail reflects our commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all. Thank you to our team for bringing awareness and acceptance to life throughout our facility!

Members of our team recently attended the Northwest Council Ethics Training at the University of Tennessee at Martin. We...
04/16/2025

Members of our team recently attended the Northwest Council Ethics Training at the University of Tennessee at Martin. We’re proud of their commitment to staying current on the latest training and resources to better serve our community!

Address

711 Tennessee 3
Dyersburg, TN
38024

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when McDowell Center for Children posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to McDowell Center for Children:

Share

About Us

The McDowell Center for Children, located in Dyersburg, Tennessee, is a psychiatric residential treatment facility that provides mental health and addiction services for adolescent males ages 12 to 17 who are experiencing mental health, behavioral, and/or substance abuse issues. Our mission is to deliver high-quality treatment, education, guidance, and encouragement for troubled adolescents as a trusted national provider of youth services. We understand that many adolescents referred to us have a long history of problematic behaviors at school, in the community, and in the family.

As a dedicated group of mental health providers, we believe there is hope for all young people, no matter what they’ve experienced in their past. Anyone can change, given the right guidance and structure, and we strive to provide the right mix of both at our facility. McDowell Center is here to offer hope, support, and care to adolescents and their families.

IMPORTANT USER INFORMATION By submitting content to this page, you understand and acknowledge that this information is available to the public, and that The McDowell Center for Children may use this information for internal and external communications and fundraising purposes. Please note that other participants may use your posted information beyond the control of The McDowell Center for Children. If you do not wish to have the information you have made available via this site: used; published; copied and/or reprinted; please do not post on this page. We reserve the right to remove comments/posts that are abusive, hurtful, off-topic, harassing or that violate the privacy of our patients and their families.

Hospital social media accounts are managed by the hospital business development team. We are unable to provide medical advice through social media. Please contact your physician, or in case of emergency, call 911 or the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Although we do our best to respond to comments and messages, there may be a delay in response time, and we may not be able to respond due to the nature of the message.